Although it’s difficult to assess the turbulence in today’s M&A environment, dealmakers face some exciting opportunities. 

In this wide ranging discussion with Stephen G. Morrissette, Ph.D, is a Visiting Professor of Strategic Management at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, we discussed M&A strategy during shaky markets and the challenges that are unique to periods where deal flow slows.

According to Professor Morrissette, a classic mistake is.....

Some of the most sophisticated and active in-house M&A professionals look to Transaction Advisors for practical information and perspective to improve their deal process and performance. 

Transaction Advisors publishes a prestigious M&A Journal, operates an M&A Academy, organizes the M&A Leadership Council, and hosts a series of M&A Conferences for corporate executives, board members, and private equity investors that address the critical issues impacting corporate transaction planning, structuring, and execution.

Disconnects between buyer and seller are compounded during volatile periods, requiring innovative and flexible solutions for bridging valuation gaps amid uncertainty.

This discussion, during the annual M&A Conference at Cornell Tech New York that was held virtually this year, includes recommendations from Linda Sharaby (Neuberger Berman), Sanil Padiyedathu (Verizon Communications), Dawn Bartholomew (Spencer Stuart) and Matthew Soran (Fried Frank).

Transactional insurance for tax liabilities is a valuable tool for negotiating clean exits, but has perhaps been overshadowed by the stellar rise of rep and warranty coverage designed for unknown risks.

This discussion during the M&A Conference at Cornell Tech New York, held this year live online, included recommendations from Thomas Griffin (Ares Management Corporation), Michael Kelchen (Keysight Technologies) and Sheldon Elefant (Willis Towers Watson).

Purchasing assets from an insolvent entity on a truncated timeline with limited due diligence and no indemnities is not a process for the financial faint of heart. 

The use of reps and warranties insurance in bankruptcy sales may help both debtors and asset purchasers, according to a new paper from Seyfarth Shaw. 

Transactions that are executed under Bankruptcy Code section 363 can provide a higher value for debtors while simultaneously providing...

How a company allocates capital determines the value of the firm, and those that correctly respond to market shifts and uncertainty can find success where others fail.

This discussion, during the annual M&A Conference at Cornell Tech New York, includes recommendations from Jelena Guzenko (Siemens Energy), Eileen Kamerick (AIG Funds, Associated Bank, Legg Mason, Hochschild Mining) and Gregg Albert (Accenture).

Successful integration and change management hinge on striking a balance between speed and efficacy, and the pandemic is facilitating new tools for achieving this goal as processes shift online.

This M&A conference discussion at Cornell Tech New York includes recommendations from Gina Sandon (IBM), Chad Klutts (Walmart), Julie van Waveren (Mercer) and Dana Hughes (Pfizer).

This recent paper looked at the intersection of M&A and tariffs, which can be imposed quickly and dramatically impact the target's EBITDA before closing or after.

Addressing trade risks is a critical best practice, both in diligence and deal structuring, which may include requiring that the seller assume responsibility for any violations that occurred within the statutory timeframe through indemnity agreements, developing specific escrow buckets or possibly....

While day-to-day decisions might be easy to make, higher-level issues such as whether the JV can make an acquisition, a significant capital expenditure or hire executives can be challenging when the venture is shared 50-50 between partners.

In this discussion with Marie Quintero-Johnson (Coca-Cola Company), Andrew Gratz (LyondellBasell), Maria Green (Littlefuse, WEC Energy and Tennant Company), and George Casey (Shearman & Sterling) during the annual M&A Conference at the University of Chicago the participants recommended...

Companies that regularly pursue moderately-sized transactions generally outperformed peers, according to research conducted by the authors of this paper, which studied overall shareholder returns versus transformational deals.

The research showed the most successful companies are placing “multiple bets” and being “nimble with [their capital]” while making several acquisitions even...

The pressure is on deal teams to revamp accounting, integration and due diligence processes that have been thrown into uncharted waters by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this discussion with Katie Nicoletti (Qualcomm), Jeremy Segal (Progress Software), and Christen Morand (EY) during the annual M&A Conference at the University of Chicago the participants recommended...

M&A is a tough business, especially when an acquisition target requires a turnaround to reach profitability.

Around 40% of M&A deals require some type of turnaround, whether because of minor problems or other crises, by the buyer to improve the underlying value of the target company. This study analyzes large deals where...

Companies facing volatility may need to evaluate their existing corporate structural defenses and consider whether to prepare or adopt a stockholder rights plan, or “poison pill”, according to the authors of this timely paper.

To improve the prospects of a positive market and judicial review, defensive measures will likely need to be considered within their jurisdiction’s fiduciary framework and...